The Soul's Wasting

The Soul's Wasting affects an individuals vitality and spirit. This disease manifests both physically and mentally, leading to an accelerated decline in the afflicted's health and well-being. Ultimately, this condition ends in the demise of the individual afflicted with it.

Symptoms

Physical Deterioration
Victims often experience weight loss, pallor and weakness. Their bodies appear gaunt and frail and often have trouble performing even the simplest of tasks.

Emotional Turmoil
Individuals may suffer deep, seemingly endless sadness, apathy or despair. Victims often lose interest in the things they once loved and enjoyed.

Magical Instability
Those who use magic and are afflicted by The Soul's Wasting may experience more limited magical abilities. There have also been cases of spells backfiring.

Dream Disturbances
Individuals may experience vivid nightmares and/or hallucinations, causing lack of sleep. Lack of sleep in turn results in the victim growing weaker.

Spiritual Disconnection
It has also been mentioned in several cases that the victims do not feel a connection to their god anymore or to their soul. It's as if they become disconnected from themselves.

Causes

Dark Magic
Long term exposure to necromantic or corrupting magic can trigger this tragic condition.

Emotional Trauma
Severe emotional trauma can cause the initiation of the wasting process.

Cursed Items
Some may curse a valuable item to cause the Wasting on the next person who touches the item.

Demonic Influence
Consistent interaction with fiendish energy can drain life force and cause the Wasting

Progression

Stage 1
Mild symptoms such as fatigue, emotional instability, and a quick temper.

Stage 2
Noticeable changes to physiology, magical abilities, and emotional health. Individuals may seek help at this time.

Stage 3
Severe deterioration begins, victims become secluded and isolate themselves. They are often seen as shadows of their former selves. Nothing brings a smile to their face.

Stage 4
Death.

Treatment

Spiritual Guidance
When Stage 2 starts, Individuals may ask a Cleric to take them on what's known as a "Soul Journey" to help them work their way through the darkness of their mind.

Herbs
Before Stage 2 and Especially in Stage 2, certain herbs mitigate and stave off the effects of the Wasting.

These are the rare herbs that are helpful with Stage 2

Clethra Ailanthoides
The Clethra Ailanthoides is a rare, large plant that can only be found in the southern region of the continent, amongst the water. Has massive leaves but also grows small delicate flowers which can be dark purple, dark red and dark pink. This plant grows long tendrils with flowers on the top, above the water. Using the flower petals and roots in a tea to help increase effectiveness of attributes.

Doctamus Hortensis
The Doctemus Hortensis, a rare, modest plant that can be found in savanna's near watering holes. It blooms once a year, for two weeks. Has spoon-like leaves that are bright orange. Grows exactly one flower per-blooming season which can be pink, silver, bronze and midnight. Once polinated, grows a large and sweet fruit. The tea made from this plants' flower petals is said to aid in mental clarity.

Carya Arboreum
The Carya Aboreum is extremely rare and can only be found in the caves of the Whistling Mountains. This fungus is only of use alive, as it bleeds a blue viscous liquid when a tendril is cut. Consuming this liquid is said to provide great personal insight.
Eating the flesh of this fungus is a death sentence.